Hidden Gem Programs

Parents Forum
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<p>This is interesting, because we are in the SD area and haven’t heard of this option. Is it a combined program, so that it takes 7 years or is it 8 years? Nice to know about it…I know that UC Riverside has a combined BS/MD program in addition.</p>

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<p>I believe that UCSD is a regular undegrad program followed by med school. His sister explained to me that he never needs to take the MCAT, and I assume he got a nice financial package, as he was one of the vals at out school.</p>

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<p>Offers from Willamette University:
Engineering:
To offer the advantages of a combined liberal arts and engineering program, Willamette University has arrangements with Columbia University (New York, New York), the University of Southern California (Los Angeles, California) and Washington University (St. Louis, Missouri), whereby a student may receive both a Bachelor of Arts from Willamette and a Bachelor of Science from the participating engineering school. A six-year combined program results in a Bachelor of Arts degree from Willamette and a Master’s degree in engineering from Columbia.
After three years in residence at Willamette, during which time the student satisfies most requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree and takes prescribed courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics, he or she may qualify for transfer to Columbia University, University of Southern California or Washington University. At any of these engineering schools, the student spends two years in any one of the several curricula in engineering; at the end of five years, he or she will receive the Bachelor of Science in engineering from Columbia, Southern California or Washington University and the Bachelor of Arts degree from Willamette University.
Another arrangement is possible with the engineering school of Columbia University on a four-two basis. Under this plan a student completes the bachelor’s degree with a major in chemistry, physics, or mathematics at Willamette University before taking the two years of engineering work.
The student then receives either a B.S. in Engineering or the Master of Science degree from Columbia University. These plans are available only in certain fields of engineering.</p>

<p>Forestry
Willamette University has an agreement with Duke University School of Forestry in Durham, North Carolina, which enables students who plan to follow a career in forestry to enroll at Willamette University for three years and to attend Duke University for two years. At the end of the five-year period, two degrees are awarded — the Bachelor of Arts from Willamette and the Master of Science in Forestry or Master of Environmental Management from Duke. The undergraduate prerequisites specific for admission to Duke University are at least one course each in biological science, calculus, statistics and microeconomics; students are also expected to have a working knowledge of microcomputers for word processing and data analysis. Students interested in this program should contact Dr. Scott Hawke of the Biology Department.</p>

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<p>I have a question regarding Harvard Extension School. After graduating, does your diploma/degree say you graduated from Harvard or from Harvard extension School?</p>

<p>That’s a very good question. I am searching for the answer for that as it is quite a unique program and one I would be interested in. I would think the diploma/degree would say Harvard Extension School. But that is just my thought.</p>

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<p>BA/MD</p>

<p>Brown University PLME program. You are admitted to Brown and Brown’s med school at the same time-- and you can major in a non-medical field for undergrad if you want to.</p>

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<p>For BA/MD programs, click “Multiple Degree Programs” under “Pre-med & Medical School”.</p>

<p>These days, there are many 1-yr MS engineering programs. So a 4-1 BA/MS can be an alternative to a 3-2 BA/BS program.</p>

<p>Northwestern has a lot of speical programs: <a href=“http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/majors/programs.htm[/url]”>http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/majors/programs.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>According to a Nov 18, 2005 article in the New York Times entitled “Harvard for Less: Extension Courses New Allure”, the degree from the Extension School says “Bachelor of liberal arts in extension from Harvard University” (cost $550/credit hr) whereas the one from Harvard College (cost $4,000/credit hr) says “Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College”. Although employers in the Boston area would know the difference, that may not be true outside Boston. The article also explains some of the downsides to an 18-year old choosing to go this route: most students are older with schedules far different from an 18-year old’s, you must find your own housing, study-groups etc.</p>

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<p>But… SPINNER - for some 18 yo’s who have to hold down a full time job in oder to support themselves - and make an attempt at an education - Harvard extension can be an answer for them - tho I agree it is not a normal route to take for an 18 yo - but is an alternative for them. HE has some great courses - I have to say - I remember years back when I myself took a couple of courses thru it - to have gotten a degree from there tho would have probably taken me about 10 years tho LOL.</p>

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<p>I don’t get it. What’s the difference between the Extension school and the Regular school? They both seem to consist of regular classes taught by Harvard faculty so whats the difference?</p>

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<p>One big difference is course selection. </p>

<p>Take classics as an example. There is only one classics course available through Harvard extension’s catalog:</p>

<p><a href=“http://dceweb.harvard.edu/prod/sswckce.taf?function=search&wgrp=EXT&_UserReference=0A330519465177D493F3E43D7CBA44962A78[/url]”>http://dceweb.harvard.edu/prod/sswckce.taf?function=search&wgrp=EXT&_UserReference=0A330519465177D493F3E43D7CBA44962A78&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>By contrast, the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences catalog lists scores of classics courses:</p>

<p><a href=“http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/courses/TheClassics.html[/url]”>http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/courses/TheClassics.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>(However, it should be noted that extension degree students who have a B+ average may petition to take a limited number of regular FAS courses–typically one per semester, though they will pay the higher FAS tuition of $4,000 per class for those classes.)</p>

<p>Another big difference: extension students do not have the extensive advising and career counseling resources available to Harvard College students, their extracurricular activities are much more limited, and they don’t have the residential experience. Social supports and study groups may be harder to put together.</p>

<p>I give the extension school students a lot of credit–it takes extra perseverence, resourcefulness, initiative, street-smarts, pluck, and problem-solving skills to complete an extension degree.</p>

<p>Most students in extension classes, however, are NOT degree-seeking students. Some are high school students who want to take higher level coursework not available at their schools. (Some of those, like Marite’s son, eventually wind up at Harvard College.) </p>

<p>Some are Harvard College alumni who are interested in continuing their education at low cost and at convenient afterwork hours. Many are “lifelong learners” who just love learning and intellectual challenge and growth. </p>

<p>Some are school teachers who don’t need another degree but who do need continuing education to maintain certification.</p>

<p>(Harvard offers special additional discounts for local high school students and local teachers who take extension school classes. They also offer additional discounts to Harvard employees who choose to take an extension school course.)</p>

<p>Because most extension school students are not seeking degrees, there is a sort of “grab-bag, mix-and-match” haphazard character to the list of courses offered in any given semester. It can take some real ingenuity to work out a schedule that will fit a students’ academic interests AND the requirements of an extension degree.</p>

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<p>The United States Merchant Marine Academy</p>

<p>A federal service academy like West Point or Annapolis, but with terrific options when you graduate. Either take an active duty commission in any of the services – including the NOAA Corps that operates weather ships for five years, or work anywhere in the US maritime industry for eight years. Spend an entire year at sea on commercial ships and get a Coast Guard mate’s or engineers license at he end. Room, board, books and clothes are all paid for.</p>

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<p>Wellesley has a Double Degree program with MIT. </p>

<p><a href=“http://www.wellesley.edu/USStudy/mitdoubledegree.html[/url]”>http://www.wellesley.edu/USStudy/mitdoubledegree.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Yea but you have to transfer into MIT, which is very difficult…</p>

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<p>if you like math and social sciences. Graduates are actively sought by major firms. <a href=“http://www.mmss.northwestern.edu/[/url]”>http://www.mmss.northwestern.edu/&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://www.mmss.northwestern.edu/prospective_students/MMSS_brochure.pdf[/url]”>http://www.mmss.northwestern.edu/prospective_students/MMSS_brochure.pdf&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://www.mmss.northwestern.edu/current_students/Internship%20Directory.pdf[/url]”>http://www.mmss.northwestern.edu/current_students/Internship%20Directory.pdf&lt;/a&gt; provides a list of summer internships held by students in recent years.</p>

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<p><a href=“http://www.ohio.edu/honors[/url]”>http://www.ohio.edu/honors&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Additional hidden gems are the Coast Guard Academy, admission through a test rather than through a Congress person, and the honors programs at Alfred University and Valparaiso University. The Coast Guard Academy is, of course, a service academy and there is a post-graduate requirement of military service. In my research of Alfred and Valparaiso, the honors programs at both of the schools seem to be a case of small colleges within medium-sized universities. Being in the honors college includes living arrangements. The thought crossed my mind that in the instance of Alfred a bright academic sort of student, a shy person in the words of Garrison Keillor, might find protection, a safe harbor there, vis-a vis the drinking culture of that institution. (To be fair to Alfred, it is my understanding that the administration is trying to do something about student drinking. I believe the drinking came to my attention because a self-study(?) of the problem was undertaken.)</p>

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<p>As it is now summertime and the Class of 2011/2012 will be touring alot of colleges throughout the next few months, I suspect that many of you will also come across certain Programs and opportunities that will have that WOW! factor. Be it – 5th year free tuition or a great BA/MA combo program. So to help our College Confidential Community, it would be great if you could tell others about these “Hidden Gem Programs” that you discover on your journey in finding the right college. Have fun.
Good luck to all!!
Marny</p>

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<p><a href=“http://www.bu.edu/uni/about/index.html[/url]”>http://www.bu.edu/uni/about/index.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>BU University Professors Program–Unique Interdisciplinary small college community with a large university, for Gifted Students, interesting Profs like Elie Weisel and H. Eugene Standley.</p>

<p>BU also has a 7 yr. accelerated BA/MD program and numerous other programs including 5 yrs BA/MA and MBA programs and 7 yr BA/JD program. Scroll down to section on accelerated degrees</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.bu.edu/bulletins/und/item02.html[/url]”>http://www.bu.edu/bulletins/und/item02.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>College of Social Studies at Wesleyan University. An extremely gut-wrenching, multi-disciplinary (history, economics, philosophy, government) major program, but oh, what fabulous awards you reap. </p>

<p>(There is a College of Letters program that is more humanities-oriented, but ever since the original faculty that started it left, it has been on somewhat of a decline.)</p>

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<p>Sciences at Agnes Scott College (female only) in Atlanta,
Great merit scholarships</p>